Satellite imagery from US space agency NASA on Sunday showed at least 420 forests across the country blazing under wildfire.

Similar picture on Saturday had shown wildfire in 400 places. Nepal’s wildfire is the largest and most dangerous in South Asia, according to the pictures taken by NASA.

A lot of flora and fauna have been destroyed by such fires leaving an adverse impact in the rich bio-diversity of Nepal.

Experts and concerned officials met at the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation Sunday to discuss the growing crisis ensued by the wildfires.

As per the advice of the experts, the ministry has decided to recommend the home ministry to declare a national crisis to help take the wildfires in control.

It has been necessary to lauch a national campaign to control such wildfires by declaring a national crisis and consulting all government agencies, Dr Krishna Chandra Poudel, director of Department of Forests said.

The department has directed all district forest offices to start taking the wildfires in control by coordinating with the district administration, Nepal Army, Nepal police and the locals.

Even though wildfires are normal phenomenon during the dry season in Nepal, incidents of wildfires have increased markedly this year compared to the previous year due to the prolonged drought.

Dozens of people have already lost their lives this year due to fire related accidents.

Thirteen army personnel were burnt to death in Ramechhap on Thursday and five locals in Gulmi died on Saturday when they were trying to extinguish wildfires in their area respectively. nepalnews.com Apr 27 09